Dan Gilbert, Jennifer Gilbert donate $15 million to Michigan State

Chris Solari , Detroit Free Press , WZZM6:28 PM. EDT October 26, 2016

Dan Gilbert announces he and his wife, Jennifer, both Michigan State University alumni, will donate $15 million to Michigan State University on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (Photo: Jessica J. Trevino, Detroit Free Press)

Dan Gilbert is giving back to Michigan State University. In a major way.

The Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures founder and chairman and his wife, Jennifer Gilbert, announced Wednesday that they will give their alma mater $15 million toward the ongoing $20 million Breslin Center improvements and two academic entities, the Detroit Scholars Program and the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Rendering of a new addition and renovation of the Breslin Center at Michigan State University, from a $15 million donation from MSU alumni Dan and Jennifer Gilbert. (Photo: Michigan State University)

Mark Hollis, Michigan State athletic director, would not discuss how the money would be divvied up. The donation is one of the largest to the university’s Empower Extraordinary campaign, which now has raised $226 million of the targeted $262 million for the athletic department since it began two years ago.

“You look what Dan has done down here in Detroit, and he’s re-energized and brought back some things,” MSU coach Tom Izzo said. “I look out at the Joe Louis (fist) and all the things you see, it’s all part of the same equation. It means the world to me.”